I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones

e-Audio, 10:52:59
Narrated by: Michael Crouch & Stephen Graham Jones
Release Date: July 16, 2024
Published by: Hachette Audio
Read from: July 3-8, 2024
Stand-alone (Companion???) 
Source: S&S Audio Influencer Program (I received a copy of this e-audio from #SagaPress and their influencer program in exchange for a just and honest review. This did nothing to influence my review.)
Content Warning: Gore, Murder, Blood, Alcohol, Death of a Parent, Grief, Suicidal Thoughts, Racism, Sexism
For Readers Interested In: Horror, Thriller, Racial/Ethnic Diversity, Adult, Texas Local read

    From New York Times bestselling horror writer Stephen Graham Jones comes a classic slasher story with a twist—perfect for fans of Riley Sager and Grady Hendrix.
     1989, Lamesa, Texas. A small west Texas town driven by oil and cotton—and a place where everyone knows everyone else’s business. So it goes for Tolly Driver, a good kid with more potential than application, seventeen, and about to be cursed to kill for revenge. Here Stephen Graham Jones explores the Texas he grew up in, the unfairness of being on the outside, through the slasher horror he lives but from the perspective of the killer, Tolly, writing his own autobiography. Find yourself rooting for a killer in this summer teen movie of a novel gone full blood-curdling tragic.

*MY THOUGHTS*

This was my first book by Jones and I can honestly say this was my favorite book so far this month. It always makes me so happy when a book is on my most anticipated list and once I read it its actually good! And this one does just that.

Ok so the best thing about this book was the writing style. This was a super cool way to look at the slasher horror genre. I don’t think I ever would have thought of something like this. And not only was it unique, it was also just a super interesting way to tell this story. I do wish that the lore was a bit more explained, besides just talking about that one drop in the very beginning, but eh, it got the job done. And Idk if its just because I have a peanut allergy and I love horror, but I was like “omg” freaking out when i saw that it all started because of a peanut allergy. I actually cried a little for that poor boy because that wasn’t bullying, that was just cruel. Like I’m convinced it wasn’t an accident. That was not ok.

The reason I loved the writing style in this so much was because of the way it examined one of my favorite genres. Every trope that comes with being in a slasher horror was present and seeing how it came to be was fascinating. And I don’t mean like the origin, I mean like seeing how it manifested in the villain. Because it is told through him after all. And no we don’t get all the juicy details like WHY he’s able to stay alive, but we do get the realization that he’s able to stay alive and they connect it with him being a slasher. This was so unique and I REALLY enjoyed this aspect of it.

There is also a small bit of romance in this that was a bit unexpected. No nothing ever happens, but the pining was actually adorable. It showed how important the last person is too. It was sad that they saw it before all this too. It was just super bad timing. I did realize that this made me feel sympathetic for him, and I realize that that’s how they probably trap me to begin with. By making sure that we have these feelings for him and meanwhile he’s out there killing people.

This was so interesting and so so good. I did want it to be a little more slashery and not so much like a diary, but it was still good. In fact I think I have added all of Jones’ backlist even if he doesn’t write YA. And if you’re wondering, the only thing I thought this was missing was a huge ass surprise at the end lol Unnecessary sequels are all the rage in this genre lol

Overall, I give this